Small Animals

Congratulations, you're the parent of an adorable new puppy! What supplies are you going to need once you get your furry little bundle of joy home?

Dog Food

Start out with a high-quality dog food to nourish that little growing body. Some dog owners advocate a raw food diet, claimed to be a more natural way of feeding these canine companions. If kibble and cans is more your style, we recommend doing a little research on a site like DogFoodAdvisor.com. You'll learn how to choose a kibble or canned food that's right for your puppy.

Food and water bowls

Now you just need something to put that food in. Don't just plunk down a few dollars for a plastic dish from the grocery store; consider your puppy's ultimate size, where he'll be eating and whether he needs features such as bowls that prevent him from wolfing down his dinner too quickly. The right food and water bowls make a big difference, since they're something your furry friend will use all day long.

Collar and Leash

You'll need to buy several collars or harnesses as your little buddy grows, so don't spend too much money on these right off the bat — save up for the many fun collar choices ahead! Choke collars are out of favor for teaching puppies to walk on a lead; we suggest a no-pull harness that gently prevents your pup from dragging you along.

Dog Bed

Because your pup will grow a lot in these early months, you might not want to spend too much money on a dog bed just yet. Once you're ready to invest in a special spot for your puppy to sleep, you'll know more about where he likes to sleep and how (curled up, stretched out — or on your furniture!), so you can choose something that works for your dog and your home.

Dog Crate

Crate training a dog is useful when you need to go out and when you need a safe, secure place for him to stay. Your puppy will come to think of his dog crate as his special spot to curl up. If you don't get a crate but you need to keep your puppy out of certain areas of the house, consider a baby gate instead.

Unless you keep a lot of plastic grocery bags on hand, you'll want a supply of poop bags for scooping up your puppy's little packages when you're out for a walk. As for cleaning up your own yard, the Doody Digger simplifies poop pick-up like no other scooper we've seen.

Toys

Keep your puppy out of trouble by keeping him busy. Shop for dog toys that suit his burgeoning personality and need for chewing, comfort, running, tugging and even critical thinking.